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Thursday, March 24, 2016

5 Ways to Manage Your Time Better as an Event Planner

As an #eventprof, you work around the clock trying to make sure the events you’re planning and the parties you’re throwing go off without a hitch.

Because, everyone knows that as an event professional time is money!

So how do you manage your time?

If you’re not sure, don’t worry! We’ve got five ways to help you manage your time better.

Keep reading to find out.

#1 Do the Most Important Task of the Day First

After you’ve had your coffee and got to your workstation, it’s time to hit the ground running with your most important project.

The morning is the best time to get your creative juices flowing and tackle major tasks that need your utmost attention.

Think about it, say you have a project that you’re not sure how long it’s going to take you, but you know it’s crucial to your event. Instead of crunching it in the last part of the day, start working on it early.

And besides, working on projects throughout most of the day helps you feel accomplished when you go to sleep at night.

#2 It’s OK to Say No

Yes, it’s perfectly alright to tell someone no!

Say your client approaches you at the last minute to ask if you can add something else to their event—and they need it to be done ASAP.

It’s alright to tell someone you can’t tackle that project at this moment.

Of course, you’re not giving them a flat out no. You’re just letting your clients know you’re taking time to produce the best results for other projects they wanted.

Being honest and upfront, even if that means saying no, is something that your clients will respect.

#3 Hide Your Technology

It seems as an #eventprof you always have a tablet lying around, or your phone attached to your hip.

Technology is your lifeline, so even thinking about being without it gives you anxiety.

But when you have a big project to work through (that doesn’t require any form of technology) it’s best to hide it from yourself.

Put your phone or tablet in the next room, turn it on silent, and focus on your work.

Trust us, when you don’t look at your phone every five minutes, you’ll be shocked at how much work you can actually get done.

#4 Take Breaks

It doesn’t matter who you are. You need to take a break for five minutes, every 90 minutes. And every 17 minutes, you need to stand up and stretch your legs.

Your mind (and your body) needs time to reboot and recharge.

Taking a break allows you to jump right back into thinking creatively, and it helps speed up your productivity too.

We understand when you get into a time crunch you feel like you can’t take any breaks, that you have to power through.

But do yourself (and your work) a favor, set a timer and stop working when it goes off.

#5 Set Deadlines for Yourself

Most people work best on a timeline—a schedule of when everything should be done.

For event professionals, you typically work on a very extended schedule—usually months out from an event.

This is why you should set deadlines for yourself!

If you need to get the flowers ordered, the table placings designed, and the seating arrangements established, set yourself deadlines and stick to them.

You’ll be amazed when you set a schedule and work under a deadline how much work you’ll get done.

So #eventprofs, are you ready to better manage your time? We believe in you and know that you can! Tell us about a project that made you work under a tight deadline and how you managed your time to complete it? Let us know in the comment section below or share it with us on our Facebook page.